Chapter 9

Chapter 9Chapter 9

Section 2Section 2

The Fall of RomeThe Fall of Rome

I. The Decline of Rome (pgs. 318 – 321)I. The Decline of Rome (pgs. 318 – 321) In A.D. 180, the last of the “good emperors”, Marcus In A.D. 180, the last of the “good emperors”, Marcus

Aurelius, died leaving his son Commodus Aurelius, died leaving his son Commodus (kah*muh*duhs) emperor.(kah*muh*duhs) emperor.

Commodus was cruel and spent much Commodus was cruel and spent much

of his time fighting as a gladiator.of his time fighting as a gladiator.

In A.D. 192 the emperor’s bodyguard killed him.In A.D. 192 the emperor’s bodyguard killed him.

After Commodus,After Commodus,

emperors called theemperors called the

Severans ruledSeverans ruled

Rome.Rome.

Political and Social ProblemsPolitical and Social Problems The last Severan ruler died in A.D. 235The last Severan ruler died in A.D. 235

Rome’s government became weak and for the next Rome’s government became weak and for the next 50 years, Rome had 22 different emperors.50 years, Rome had 22 different emperors.

Rome’s many problems included:Rome’s many problems included:

* Romans no longer honored the old ideals of duty, * Romans no longer honored the old ideals of duty, courage, courage, and honesty. and honesty.

* Officials stole money* Officials stole money

* Wealthy people stopped paying taxes* Wealthy people stopped paying taxes

*Fewer people attended school*Fewer people attended school

*Large number of empire’s people were now enslaved*Large number of empire’s people were now enslaved

Economic and Military ProblemsEconomic and Military Problems During the A.D. 200’s, Rome’s economy began to fail.During the A.D. 200’s, Rome’s economy began to fail.

A plague, or disease that spreads widely, broke out A plague, or disease that spreads widely, broke out and killed one out of every ten people in the empire.and killed one out of every ten people in the empire.

Rome suffered from inflation, or rapidly increasing Rome suffered from inflation, or rapidly increasing prices.prices.

Government tried to get more money by putting less Government tried to get more money by putting less gold in its coins, but that made the coins lose value.gold in its coins, but that made the coins lose value.

People began to barter, or exchange goods, without People began to barter, or exchange goods, without using money.using money.

Germanic tribes from northern Europe began Germanic tribes from northern Europe began invading Roman farms and towns.invading Roman farms and towns.

Persian armies also pushed into Rome’s territories.Persian armies also pushed into Rome’s territories.

Rome began using Germanic warriors in their army Rome began using Germanic warriors in their army because they could not afford to pay soldiers, but because they could not afford to pay soldiers, but they were not loyal to Rome.they were not loyal to Rome.

What Were Diocletian’s Reforms?What Were Diocletian’s Reforms? In A.D. 284, a general named Diocletian In A.D. 284, a general named Diocletian

(dy*uh*klee*shuhn) became emperor.(dy*uh*klee*shuhn) became emperor.

He introduced many reforms, or political changes.He introduced many reforms, or political changes.

* divided Rome into four parts* divided Rome into four parts

* set the prices of goods and workers’ wages* set the prices of goods and workers’ wages

* Ordered workers to remain at the same jobs until * Ordered workers to remain at the same jobs until theythey

dieddied

The people ignored the new The people ignored the new

rules and Diocletian did not rules and Diocletian did not

have enough power to make have enough power to make

them obey.them obey.

Who Was Constantine?Who Was Constantine? Constantine (kahn*stuhn*teen) became emperor in Constantine (kahn*stuhn*teen) became emperor in

A.D. 312.A.D. 312.

He issued several orders to aid the Roman economy.He issued several orders to aid the Roman economy.

Ordered the sons of workers to follow their fathers’ Ordered the sons of workers to follow their fathers’ trades.trades.

Moved capital city from Rome to Byzantium Moved capital city from Rome to Byzantium (buh*zan*tee*uhm).(buh*zan*tee*uhm).

City became known asCity became known as

Constantinople (kahn*stan*tuhn*oh*puhl)Constantinople (kahn*stan*tuhn*oh*puhl)

(Istanbul today).(Istanbul today).

II. Rome FallsII. Rome Falls In A.D. 395, the Roman In A.D. 395, the Roman

Empire was split into two separate empires.Empire was split into two separate empires.

The Western Roman The Western Roman

Empire had Rome asEmpire had Rome as

its capital.its capital.

The Eastern Roman The Eastern Roman

Empire had Empire had

Constantinople as Constantinople as

its capital.its capital.

Rome Is InvadedRome Is Invaded As Rome declined, it could no longer hold back the As Rome declined, it could no longer hold back the

Germanic tribes.Germanic tribes.

* Ostrogoths* Ostrogoths

* Visigoths* Visigoths

* Franks* Franks

* Vandals* Vandals

* Angles* Angles

* Saxons* Saxons

These groups were looking for warmer climates, These groups were looking for warmer climates, better grazing land for their cattle, and fleeing the better grazing land for their cattle, and fleeing the Huns, fierce warriors from Mongolia in Asia.Huns, fierce warriors from Mongolia in Asia.

In A.D. 378, the Visigoths defeated Roman legions at In A.D. 378, the Visigoths defeated Roman legions at the Battle of Adrianople (ay*dree*uh*noh*puhl).the Battle of Adrianople (ay*dree*uh*noh*puhl).

In A.D. 410, the Visigoth leader Alaric (a*luh*rihk) and In A.D. 410, the Visigoth leader Alaric (a*luh*rihk) and his soldiers captured Rome itself.his soldiers captured Rome itself.

It was the first time Rome had been conquered in 800 It was the first time Rome had been conquered in 800 years.years.

In A.D. 455, the Vandals entered Rome and spent 12 In A.D. 455, the Vandals entered Rome and spent 12 days stripping buildings of valuables and burning days stripping buildings of valuables and burning them.them.

From these attacks came the English word From these attacks came the English word vandalismvandalism, , which means “the willful destruction of property.”which means “the willful destruction of property.”

Rome FallsRome Falls In A.D. 476, a Germanic general named Odoacer In A.D. 476, a Germanic general named Odoacer

(oh*duh*way*suhr) overthrew the western emperor (oh*duh*way*suhr) overthrew the western emperor Romulus Augustulus.Romulus Augustulus.

After Augustulus, no emperor ever again ruled from After Augustulus, no emperor ever again ruled from Rome.Rome.

By A.D. 550, the Western Roman Empire had faded By A.D. 550, the Western Roman Empire had faded away.away.

The Eastern Roman Empire prospered and became The Eastern Roman Empire prospered and became known as the Byzantine Empire.known as the Byzantine Empire.

III. The Legacy of RomeIII. The Legacy of Rome Many of our ideas and knowledge today comes from Many of our ideas and knowledge today comes from

the Roman Empire.the Roman Empire.

Many words in the English language come from the Many words in the English language come from the Romans.Romans.

Many of our ideas about government, our system of Many of our ideas about government, our system of law, and knowledge of building came from the law, and knowledge of building came from the Romans.Romans.